"That's Okay I Have a Hammer": Critical Social Studies as Civic Gate Opener

• In Event: Writing New Imaginaries Through Critical Consciousness, Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies, and Self-Determination

Abstract

This study examines the power of critical examination of history with urban Indigenous students as a catalyst for civic identity building. Structures active in public schools including settler colonialism (Cavanaugh & Veracini, 2016), neoliberalism (Davies, 2014), and erasure of Indigenous citizenship in the social studies classes (Sabzalian, 2019) are pedagogical challenges that social studies teachers break with humility, purpose and care for students. Careful and critical examination of history and present day events created zones to support Indigenous student learning about self-determination and sovereignty.

Author

• Rachel Talbert, Teachers College, Columbia University